Rankings / By State
Best Psychology Colleges in Missouri
- 35
- Schools
- $49,924
- Avg. Earnings
- 54%
- Avg. Graduation
- $18,922
- Avg. Net Price
- $22,334
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 35 schools run from $31,088 to $86,182, a 2.8× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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College of the Ozarks delivers the most for the money: roughly $41,592 in median earnings against $6,100 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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College of the Ozarks is the lowest-cost school here at $6,100 a year in net price.
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Washington University in St Louis graduates 94% of its students, versus a 54% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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Washington University in St Louis carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.20× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- College of the Ozarks costs $6,100 a year and Webster University costs $27,047. Yet their graduates earn $41,592 and $50,876, nowhere near the $20,947 price gap.
- On value, College of the Ozarks beats Washington University in St Louis: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
- Graduation rates split the field: Washington University in St Louis finishes 94% of students while Lincoln University finishes 22%. Same ranking, very different odds of leaving with a degree.
The Takeaway
A consistent pattern: the schools that finish at the top get there by delivering strong earnings, manageable debt, and real mobility rather than by charging more or rejecting more applicants. Those outcomes are what define educational value.
What This Means for Students
For students evaluating these schools, begin with College of the Ozarks and Washington University in St Louis. Look past sticker price: pull each school's net price for your income level, compare it against projected earnings, and let the data guide the decision instead of the brand.
Why this ranking matters
These schools are ranked on outcomes that compound: graduate earnings, upward mobility, debt, and value, all drawn from federal tax records and Scorecard data rather than reputation surveys. The list rewards results over prestige, led by institutions whose graduates earn a median of about $47K ten years after enrollment.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Washington University in St Louis #1 overall | $86,182 ▲ +73% vs avg | $21,786 | 94% | 75 |
| 2 William Jewell College #2 overall | $59,268 ▲ +19% vs avg | $17,562 | 64% | 70 |
| 3 Stephens College #3 overall | $43,071 ▼ -14% vs avg | $23,459 | 45% | 68 |
| $56,280 ▲ +13% vs avg | $12,780 | 68% | 68 | |
| $52,199 ▲ +5% vs avg | $24,314 | 56% | 68 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Psychology Colleges in Missouri
This analysis ranks 35 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $49,924 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 54% and an average net price of $18,922.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: College of the Ozarks — Net Price: $6,100 | Graduation Rate: 62%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Washington University in St Louis — 94% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Washington University in St Louis — Median alumni earnings: $86,182
CollegeRanker Primary Research
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Human Services Workforce Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the human-services and social-work workforce?
$46,660
Median earnings (10yr)
56%
Median graduation rate
$19,638
Median net price
1.2%
Avg. mobility rate
Psychology, social work, and counseling programs train a workforce in high and rising demand. Mental-health needs, child and family services, and an aging population all pull for licensed practitioners. The work is essential and licensure-gated. Pay is modest, which makes the economics of the degree unusually sensitive to cost.
Start with the medians across these 35 schools. Graduates earn a median of $46,660 ten years after enrollment. The median graduation rate is 56%, and the typical net price (what students pay after grants) runs $19,638 a year with about $21,834 in federal debt. Pell grants reach 34% of students on average, and the average mobility rate, the share of students lifted from the bottom income quintile to the top, is 1.2%.
What we’re seeing: demand is strong and growing, but the salary ceiling means affordability decides the return. With median earnings around $46,660 and a median net price of $19,638, the best value comes from programs that keep debt well below early-career pay.
The podium
Build your ranking
Drag a pillar — schools re-rank live.
Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Washington University in St Louis lands at #1 with a 75/100 composite, led by academic quality (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (76/100). Graduates earn a median $86,182 a decade after enrolling, 73% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,786 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
William Jewell College lands at #2 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (58/100). Graduates earn a median $59,268 a decade after enrolling, 19% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,562 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Stephens College lands at #3 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $43,071 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,459 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Truman State University lands at #4 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (67/100). Graduates earn a median $56,280 a decade after enrolling, 13% above this list's average, and net price runs $12,780 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
Westminster College lands at #5 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (91/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (34/100). Graduates earn a median $52,199 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,314 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Maryville University of Saint Louis lands at #6 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $62,105 a decade after enrolling, 24% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,066 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Northwest Missouri State University lands at #7 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (61/100). Graduates earn a median $47,885 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,244 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Avila University lands at #8 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $52,773 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,053 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Cottey College lands at #9 with a 64/100 composite, led by academic quality (67/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (57/100). Graduates earn a median $35,422 a decade after enrolling, 29% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,805 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Saint Louis University lands at #10 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $70,783 a decade after enrolling, 42% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,398 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Rockhurst University lands at #11 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $67,102 a decade after enrolling, 34% above this list's average, and net price runs $25,884 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Cape Girardeau, MO · 74% accepted · $15,882 net
Why it ranks #12
Southeast Missouri State University lands at #12 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (61/100). Graduates earn a median $44,030 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,882 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Missouri Southern State University lands at #13 with a 62/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $42,620 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,007 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Park University lands at #14 with a 62/100 composite, led by social mobility (92/100) and pulled down by academic quality (45/100). Graduates earn a median $56,309 a decade after enrolling, 13% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,032 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
William Woods University lands at #15 with a 62/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (43/100). Graduates earn a median $42,401 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $26,569 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Lindenwood University lands at #16 with a 62/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $53,278 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,638 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
Webster University lands at #17 with a 61/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (45/100). Graduates earn a median $50,876 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $27,047 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Missouri Baptist University lands at #18 with a 60/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $46,660 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $27,006 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Drury University lands at #19 with a 60/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $40,694 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,831 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
Culver-Stockton College lands at #20 with a 60/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (45/100). Graduates earn a median $46,092 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,983 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
Missouri Western State University lands at #21 with a 59/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (52/100). Graduates earn a median $42,647 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,251 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
Hannibal-LaGrange University lands at #22 with a 58/100 composite, led by social mobility (63/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $42,643 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,814 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
Evangel University lands at #23 with a 58/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $46,573 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,669 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
Missouri Valley College lands at #24 with a 57/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (47/100). Graduates earn a median $43,221 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,086 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
University of Missouri-Kansas City lands at #25 with a 57/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (70/100) and pulled down by social mobility (54/100). Graduates earn a median $59,637 a decade after enrolling, 19% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,310 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #26
Southwest Baptist University lands at #26 with a 57/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $43,112 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,677 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #27
University of Missouri-Columbia lands at #27 with a 56/100 composite, led by academic quality (77/100) and pulled down by social mobility (57/100). Graduates earn a median $63,403 a decade after enrolling, 27% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,268 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #28
College of the Ozarks lands at #28 with a 56/100 composite, led by value per dollar (88/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (35/100). Graduates earn a median $41,592 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,100 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #29
University of Missouri-St Louis lands at #29 with a 55/100 composite, led by value per dollar (67/100) and pulled down by social mobility (53/100). Graduates earn a median $53,037 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,071 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #30
Harris-Stowe State University lands at #30 with a 54/100 composite, led by social mobility (61/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (49/100). Graduates earn a median $31,088 a decade after enrolling, 38% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,922 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Springfield, MO · 91% accepted · $17,613 net
Why it ranks #31
Missouri State University-Springfield lands at #31 with a 54/100 composite, led by academic quality (64/100) and pulled down by social mobility (58/100). Graduates earn a median $49,827 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,613 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Fayette, MO · 57% accepted · $22,766 net
Why it ranks #32
Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences lands at #32 with a 52/100 composite, led by academic quality (68/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $48,991 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,766 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Springfield, MO · $10,566 net
Why it ranks #33
Drury University-College of Continuing Professional Studies lands at #33 with a 49/100 composite, led by value per dollar (66/100) and pulled down by academic quality (48/100). Graduates earn a median $40,694 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,566 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #34
Columbia College lands at #34 with a 48/100 composite, led by academic quality (70/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $45,378 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,715 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #35
Lincoln University lands at #35 with a 44/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (53/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $39,463 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,092 a year. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 35 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
Choosing the right psychology program is a critical decision for many students and families. With 34 colleges in Missouri offering psychology degrees, it’s essential to understand what these schools have in common and how they differ. One key figure to consider is the average earnings for graduates, which stands at $50,138 across these institutions.
What sets the top programs apart are their outcomes: graduation rates, average earnings, and levels of student debt. For example, the best schools have graduation rates that exceed the average of 54%, and many offer a strong return on investment. By examining the data below, you can identify which schools provide the best balance of financial and academic success.
Take Washington University in St. Louis and Truman State University as examples. Washington University boasts an impressive $86,182 in average earnings and a 94% graduation rate, while Truman State's graduates earn $56,280 with a 68% graduation rate. These differences illustrate the importance of weighing potential earnings against the costs of each program.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
Social mobility carries the heaviest weight in this ranking, and the measure comes from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built from more than 30 million anonymized tax records. Across the 24 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 1.2%. That figure is the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top. Park University leads the group at 3.9%, with College of the Ozarks (3.3%) and Missouri Southern State University (1.7%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 7.4% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. College of the Ozarks enrolls the most, at 17.9%, a sign it is reaching the students mobility is meant to lift. A high mobility rate paired with strong access is the combination that changes a generation's trajectory.
For the low-income students who do enroll, the success rate (the odds of reaching the top quintile) averages 18.5% across the list, peaking at 53.5% at Washington University in St Louis.
These campuses can also be measured on social capital: the cross-class friendships Opportunity Insights links to long-run economic outcomes. Economic connectedness here averages 1.65, where about 1.0 is the national norm, and Washington University in St Louis is highest at 1.83.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
When we look closely at the data, a pattern emerges. Washington University in St. Louis not only has the highest earnings at $86,182 but also a graduation rate of 94%. In contrast, the University of Missouri-Kansas City shows a lower earnings figure at $59,637 and a graduation rate of just 56%. This stark difference highlights the advantage of investing time and resources into a school with strong outcomes.
As you sift through these 34 schools, consider your own priorities. Are you more focused on minimizing debt or maximizing earnings? Look at both the financials and the academic environment. Visit campuses if possible, talk to current students, and assess how well each school aligns with your personal and career goals. It’s about finding the right fit for your situation.
Ultimately, the path from college to a stable career is influenced by these decisions. For one family, choosing a school with a strong graduation rate and good earnings potential could mean a more secure financial future. Balancing choices between cost, program quality, and personal fit can set the foundation for a successful transition into the workforce.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Psychology Colleges in Missouri: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Psychology Colleges in Missouri ranking? +
Washington University in St Louis in St. Louis, MO ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Psychology Colleges in Missouri ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $86,182 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 94% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
Washington University in St Louis posts the highest median earnings on this list: $86,182 ten years after enrollment, well above the $49,924 average across the 35 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, College of the Ozarks leads: graduates earn a median $41,592 against net price of about $6,100 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
Washington University in St Louis has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 94%, compared with a 54% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $18,922 a year across the 35 ranked schools with cost data. College of the Ozarks is among the most affordable at roughly $6,100. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Psychology Colleges in Missouri ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 35 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
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